Fresh snowfall on upper reaches in Kashmir

Upper reaches in the Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall while plains, including Srinagar, recorded rains that resulted in cold conditions in the state.

Due to icy cold winds and rains, maximum and minimum temperature dropped by several notches.

A Met department spokesman said here on Monday afternoon that light rain or thundershowers may occur at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.

However, during the subsequent two days the weather will remain mainly dry in the state, he said.He said in Srinagar, the sky will remain partly cloudy and will become more cloudy later in the evening.

The upper reaches in world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, including Affarwat and Khilanmarg recorded light to moderate snowfall on Sunday night, a hotel owner told UNI over phone.

He said icy cold winds at Gulmarg, which experienced rains on Monday, recorded minus 1.2 degrees celsius minimum temperature. However, despite chilly winds, inflow of tourists continued.Fresh snowfall was also experienced in the upper reaches in north Kashmir, including in the areas near the Line of Control (LoC).

Official sources said heavy snowfall was recorded at holy Amarnath cave shrine and its periphery while moderate snowfall was also experienced at Sheshnag, Mahaguns, Panjterni, Pisso top and Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional Pahalgam route.

Due to snowfall on upper reaches and rain in plains, the minimum and maximum temperature in all parts of the valley was below normal on Monday.